Guide feature for a refrigeration unit

ABSTRACT

A refrigeration unit includes a water tray. The water tray includes at least one side wall that extends from a floor of the water tray to an upper rim of the water tray to define a cavity. A guide feature is coupled to the upper rim of the water tray. The guide feature includes a connection feature that is aligned with the cavity of the water tray. A drain conduit is coupled to the connection feature of the guide feature. Water conveyed by the drain conduit is configured to be received within the water tray.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a refrigeration unit and,more specifically, to a guide feature that aligns a drain conduit with awater tray of a refrigeration unit.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigeration unitincludes a water tray that includes at least one side wall that extendsfrom a floor of the water tray to an upper rim of the water tray todefine a cavity. A guide feature is coupled to the upper rim of thewater tray and has a connection feature that is aligned with the cavityof the water tray. A drain conduit is coupled to the connection featureof the guide feature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit isreceived within the water tray.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerationunit includes a water tray. A guide feature is coupled to the watertray, such that the guide feature contacts a first side wall of thewater tray and a second side wall of the water tray that is coupled tothe first side wall at a corner. A drain conduit is coupled to the guidefeature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit is receivedwithin the water tray.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a guidefeature for attachment to a water tray of a refrigeration unit includesa shelf configured to extend over an upper rim of at least one side wallof the water tray. A skirt is configured to extend downward from theshelf along an exterior surface of the at least one side wall opposite acavity defined by the water tray. A connection feature is configured tobe coupled with a drain conduit that conveys water to the water tray.The shelf is positioned between the connection feature and the skirt.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentdisclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilledin the art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a refrigeration unit of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the refrigeration unit of FIG. 1,illustrating a machine compartment;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a portion of the machine compartmentof the refrigeration unit of the present disclosure, illustrating adrain conduit, a water tray, and a guide feature;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the water tray and the guide featurecoupled to the water tray;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the drain conduit, theguide feature, and the water tray; and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the guide feature.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasisinstead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in apparatuscomponents related to a refrigeration unit. Accordingly, the apparatuscomponents have been represented, where appropriate, by conventionalsymbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that arepertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure soas not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thedescription herein. Further, like numerals in the description anddrawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unlessstated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of theelement closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer tothe surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, itis to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expresslystate otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not,without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” andshould not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to thecontrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includesembodiments having two or more such components unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, reference numeral 10 generally designates arefrigeration unit.

The refrigeration unit 10 includes a water tray 12. The water tray 12includes at least one side wall 14 that extends from a floor 16 of thewater tray 12 to an upper rim 18 of the water tray 12 to define a cavity20. A guide feature 22 is coupled to the upper rim 18 of the water tray12. The guide feature 22 includes a connection feature 24 that isaligned with the cavity 20 of the water tray 12. A drain conduit 26 iscoupled to the connection feature 24 of the guide feature 22. Waterconveyed by the drain conduit 26 is configured to be received within thewater tray 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the refrigeration unit 10 includes arefrigeration compartment 28 and a freezer compartment 30. Therefrigeration unit 10 may include one or more evaporators (not shown)for use in cooling the refrigeration compartment 28 and/or the freezercompartment 30. The drain conduit 26 is configured to convey watercondensate originating from the one or more evaporators to the watertray 12. In various implementations, the drain conduit 26 may be anassembly of components. For example, in the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the drain conduit 26 includes first and second drainpipes 32, 34, a Y-shaped connector 36, and a consolidated drain pipe 38.In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second drain pipes 32, 34convey water condensate from first and second evaporators of therefrigeration unit 10, respectively, to the Y-shaped connector 36. Thewater from the first drain pipe 32 is conveyed into the Y-shapedconnector 36 via a first inlet 40, and the water conveyed from thesecond drain pipe 34 is conveyed into the Y-shaped connector 36 via asecond inlet 42. The water travels out of an outlet 44 of the Y-shapedconnector 36, through the consolidated drain pipe 38 coupled with theoutlet 44, and into the water tray 12. It should be appreciated that thedrain conduit 26 may have more or fewer components in variousimplementations. For example, in some implementations, the drain conduit26 is comprised of a single component. Various styles of refrigerationunits 10 with varying numbers of compartments and/or evaporators arecontemplated.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the water tray 12 is illustrated. Asdepicted in FIG. 3, the water tray 12 is positioned within a machinecompartment 46 of the refrigeration unit 10. In various implementations,the water tray 12 includes at least one side wall 14. The at least oneside wall 14 may extend upward from the floor 16 of the water tray 12 tothe upper rim 18 of the water tray 12. The at least one side wall 14 mayinclude an interior surface 48 and an exterior surface 50 opposite theinterior surface 48. The upper rim 18 of the water tray 12 may bedisposed between and/or formed by a convergence of the interior andexterior surfaces 48, 50 of the at least one side wall 14. The interiorsurface 48 of the at least one side wall 14 may be adjacent to and/ormay border the floor 16 of the water tray 12. In various embodiments,the interior surface 48 of the at least one side wall 14 and the floor16 of the water tray 12 define the cavity 20 of the water tray 12. Thecavity 20 of the water tray 12 is configured to collect water conveyedinto the cavity 20 by the drain conduit 26.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the water tray 12includes a plurality of side walls 14. Each side wall 14 is coupled toeach other adjacent side wall 14 via corners 52. In someimplementations, the corners 52 may be generally rounded, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Various types of water trays 12 having various shapesand/or numbers of side walls 14 are contemplated.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, the guide feature 22 is illustrated. Theguide feature 22 is configured to be coupled to the water tray 12 andthe drain conduit 26, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit 26is directed into the cavity 20 defined by the water tray 12. In variousimplementations, the guide feature 22 is configured to be coupled to theat least one side wall 14 of the water tray 12. In some implementations,the guide feature 22 is configured to be coupled to the upper rim 18 ofthe at least one side wall 14. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, aportion of the guide feature 22 rests on the upper rim 18. In someimplementations, the guide feature 22 is configured to be coupled to aplurality of side walls 14 of the water tray 12. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 4, the guide feature 22 is coupled to a first sidewall 54 and a second side wall 56 that is coupled to the first side wall54 via the corner 52. In various embodiments, the guide feature 22 iscoupled to the upper rim 18, such that the guide feature 22 contacts thefirst side wall 54 and the second side wall 56 of the water tray 12.

In various implementations, the guide feature 22 includes the connectionfeature 24. The connection feature 24 is configured to be coupled withthe drain conduit 26. When the guide feature 22 is assembled to thewater tray 12, the connection feature 24 is configured to be alignedwith the cavity 20 of the water tray 12. In other words, the connectionfeature 24 is configured to be positioned relative to the water tray 12,such that water flowing out of the drain conduit 26 coupled to theconnection feature 24 is directed into the cavity 20 of the water tray12. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the connectionfeature 24 is positioned directly above the floor 16 of the water tray12, such that water flowing downward out of the drain conduit 26 fallsinto the cavity 20. Thus, the connection feature 24 is aligned with thecavity 20.

In some implementations, the connection feature 24 of the guide feature22 is generally tubular and defines a hollow 58. In such examples, thedrain conduit 26 may be coupled to the connection feature 24, such thatwater conveyed by the drain conduit 26 flows through the hollow 58 andinto the water tray 12. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in someimplementations, a portion of the drain conduit 26 is received withinthe hollow 58 defined by the generally tubular connection feature 24. Avariety of types of connection features 24 are contemplated. Further, itshould be appreciated that the drain conduit 26 may be coupled to theconnection feature 24 in a variety of ways, in various embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an exemplary embodiment of the guide feature 22is illustrated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the guide feature 22 includes a body 60having an interior side 62 and an exterior side 64 opposite the interiorside 62. The body 60 includes a shelf 66, a guide feature side wall 68,a platform 70, and a skirt 72. The shelf 66 extends between the guidefeature side wall 68 and the skirt 72. The skirt 72 extends downwardfrom the shelf 66 a first direction. The guide feature side wall 68extends upward from the shelf 66 a second direction that is generallyopposite the first direction. The platform 70 extends outward from anend of the guide feature side wall 68 that is distal from the shelf 66.In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior side 64 of the skirt 72 isgenerally parallel to the exterior side 64 of the guide feature sidewall 68, and the exterior side 64 of the platform 70 is generallyparallel to the exterior side 64 of the shelf 66. As illustrated in FIG.6, in various implementations, the skirt 72, shelf 66, and/or guidefeature side wall 68 may be generally L-shaped. As described furtherherein, the L-shaped skirt 72, shelf 66, and/or guide feature side wall68 may follow the contour of first and second side walls 54, 56 of thewater tray 12, as well as the contour of the corner 52 connecting thefirst and second side walls 54, 56 of the water tray 12.

In various embodiments, at least one tab 74 is coupled to the interiorside 62 of the shelf 66 and extends downward therefrom. The tab 74 is ina spaced relationship with the skirt 72. In the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 6, the guide feature 22 includes first and second tabs 76, 78that extend downward from the interior side 62 of the shelf 66. Invarious implementations, the connection feature 24 is coupled to theplatform 70 of the guide feature 22. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6, the connection feature 24 is generally tubular and defines thehollow 58. As illustrated, the connection feature 24 extends upward fromthe exterior side 64 of the body 60 and downward from the interior side62 of the body 60.

In some implementations, the body 60 of the guide feature 22 include atleast one guide retention feature 80. The at least one guide retentionfeature 80 may be positioned on at least one of the shelf 66 and theskirt 72 of the body 60. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, theshelf 66 of the body 60 defines two guide retention features 80 in theform of slots that extend through the shelf 66. As described furtherherein, the at least one guide retention feature 80 may be configured tobe engaged with at least one corresponding tray retention feature 82coupled to the water tray 12, to maintain the guide feature 22 in acoupled relationship with the water tray 12. For example, the two slotsdefined by the shelf 66, as shown in FIG. 6, may be configured to beengaged by a snap fit protrusion that extends outward from the upper rim18 of the at least one side wall 14 of the water tray 12. It iscontemplated that the at least one guide retention feature 80 and the atleast one tray retention feature 82 may be one or more of a variety oftypes of corresponding features configured to retain the water tray 12and the guide feature 22 in a coupled relationship (e.g., snap fitfeatures, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, etc.).

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the guide feature 22 and water tray 12 areconfigured to be coupled to each other. As illustrated in FIG. 5, theshelf 66 of the guide feature 22 extends over the upper rim 18 of thewater tray 12 from the guide feature side wall 68 to the skirt 72. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the interior side 62 of the shelf 66contacts the upper rim 18 of the at least one side wall 14.Implementations in which the interior side 62 of the shelf 66 is in aspaced relationship with upper rim 18 of the at least one side wall 14are contemplated. As further illustrated in FIG. 5, the skirt 72 extendsdownward from the shelf 66 along the exterior surface 50 of the at leastone side wall 14 opposite the cavity 20 defined by the water tray 12. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the interior side 62 of the skirt 72 ismaintained in a spaced relationship with the side wall 14 via the trayretention feature 82, which is coupled to the exterior surface 50 of theat least one side wall 14 and matingly engaged with the correspondingguide retention feature (not shown) defined by the skirt 72.Implementations in which the skirt 72 contacts the at least one sidewall 14 directly are contemplated.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the water tray 12 includes thefirst and second side walls 54, 56 coupled via the corner 52, and theskirt 72 and shelf 66 of the guide feature 22 are generally L-shaped.The generally L-shaped shelf 66 extends over a portion of the upper rim18 that extends along a portion of the first side wall 54, the corner52, and a portion of the second side wall 56. Similarly, the L-shapedskirt 72 extends downward from the shelf 66 along the exterior surface50 of a portion of the first side wall 54, the corner 52, and a portionof the second side wall 56. In some implementations, wherein the guidefeature 22 includes the first and second tabs 76, 78, the first tab 76extends downward from the shelf 66, such that a portion of the firstside wall 54 is positioned between the skirt 72 and the first tab 76.Further, the second tab 78 may also extend downward from the shelf 66,such that a portion of the second side wall 56 is positioned between theskirt 72 and the second tab 78. The guide feature 22 being coupled toboth the first and second side walls 54, 56 of the water tray 12, asdescribed herein, may advantageously increase the structural integrityof the connection between the water tray 12 and the guide feature 22. Insome implementations, the guide feature 22 may be a single unitary bodythat is integrally formed. In other words, the components of the guidefeature 22 may be integrally coupled to each other.

Referring still to FIG. 4, the illustrated guide feature 22 includes aplurality of guide retention features 80 in the form of slots positionedon the shelf 66 and the skirt 72. Further, the illustrated water tray 12includes a plurality of corresponding tray retention features 82 thatare engaged with the guide retention features 80. In the illustratedembodiment, the plurality of tray retention features 82 includes trayretention features 82 that are coupled to the exterior surface 50 of thefirst side wall 54, the exterior surface 50 of the second side wall 56,a portion of the upper rim 18 that extends along the first side wall 54,and a portion of the upper rim 18 that extends along the second sidewall 56.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the guide feature 22 includes the guidefeature side wall 68.

The guide feature side wall 68 extends upward from the shelf 66 to theplatform 70. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the platform 70 is positionedfurther than the shelf 66 from the floor 16 of the water tray 12. Inother words, the platform 70 is positioned a first distance from thefloor 16, the shelf 66 is positioned a second distance from the floor16, and the first distance is greater than the second distance. Theplatform 70 extends outward from the shelf 66. In the illustratedembodiment, the platform 70 extends over the cavity 20 of the water tray12 generally away from the portion of the at least one side wall 14 thatthe guide feature 22 is coupled to. In various implementations, theconnection feature 24 is coupled to the platform 70 and is, likewise,positioned over the cavity 20 of the water tray 12. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 5, the generally tubular connection feature 24receives the drain conduit 26 within the hollow 58, such that waterconveyed by the drain conduit 26 passes through the hollow 58 and intothe cavity 20 of the water tray 12 beneath the connection feature 24.

In operation of an exemplary embodiment of the refrigeration unit 10,first and second evaporators are operated to assist in cooling therefrigeration and freezer compartments 28, 30. The first and secondevaporators produce water condensate. The water from the first andsecond evaporators enters first and second drain pipes 32, 34,respectively. The first and second drain pipes 32, 34 convey the waterto first and second inlets 40, 42 of the Y-shaped connector 36. Next,the water exits the outlet 44 of the Y-shaped connector 36 and isconveyed toward the water tray 12 via a consolidated drain pipe 38. Theconsolidated drain pipe 38 extends from the Y-shaped connector 36 intothe generally tubular connection feature 24 of the guide feature 22coupled to first and second side walls 54, 56 of the water tray 12. Theconnection feature 24 is positioned over the cavity 20 defined by thewater tray 12 and defines a hollow 58. The water conveyed by theconsolidated drain pipe 38 flows through the hollow 58 and into thecavity 20 of the water tray 12.

The refrigeration unit 10 of the present disclosure may provide avariety of advantages.

First, the guide feature 22 may assist in anchoring the drain conduit 26in a position that ensures water conveyed by the drain conduit 26 isreceived within the water tray 12. Second, the Y-shaped connector 36being positioned within the machine compartment 46 (instead of disposedwithin foam insulation, for example) allows the Y-shaped connector 36and the drain conduit 26 coupled to the Y-shaped connector 36 to beconveniently accessed.

According to one aspect, a refrigeration unit includes a water tray thatincludes at least one side wall that extends from a floor of the watertray to an upper rim of the water tray to define a cavity. A guidefeature is coupled to the upper rim of the water tray and has aconnection feature that is aligned with the cavity of the water tray. Adrain conduit is coupled to the connection feature of the guide feature,such that water conveyed by the drain conduit is received within thewater tray.

According to another aspect, the connection feature is generally tubularand defines a hollow. The drain conduit is coupled to the connectionfeature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit flows through thehollow and into the water tray.

According to another aspect, a portion of the drain conduit is receivedwithin the hollow defined by the connection feature.

According to another aspect, the at least one side wall of the watertray includes a first side wall and a second side wall coupled to thefirst side wall via a corner. The guide feature is coupled to the upperrim, such that the guide feature contacts the first side wall and thesecond side wall of the water tray.

According to another aspect, the guide feature includes a shelf thatextends over the upper rim of the water tray and a skirt that extendsdownward from the shelf along an exterior surface of the at least oneside wall opposite the cavity.

According to another aspect, the guide feature further includes a tabthat extends downward from the shelf into the cavity of the guidefeature, such that a portion of the at least one side wall is positionedbetween the skirt and the tab of the guide feature.

According to another aspect, the guide feature includes a guideretention feature and the water tray includes a tray retention featureconfigured to be engaged with the guide retention feature to maintainthe guide feature in a coupled relationship with the water tray. Theguide retention feature is positioned on at least one of the skirt andthe shelf.

According to another aspect, the guide feature further includes a guidefeature side wall that extends from the shelf to a platform positionedfurther than the shelf from the floor of the water tray. The connectionfeature is coupled to the platform.

According to another aspect, a refrigeration unit includes a water tray.A guide feature is coupled to the water tray, such that the guidefeature contacts a first side wall of the water tray and a second sidewall of the water tray that is coupled to the first side wall at acorner. A drain conduit is coupled to the guide feature, such that waterconveyed by the drain conduit is received within the water tray.

According to another aspect, the first and second side walls of thewater tray extends from a floor of the water tray to an upper rim. Theguide feature is coupled to the upper rim.

According to another aspect, the guide feature is coupled to a portionof the upper rim that extends along at least a portion of the first sidewall and a portion of the upper rim that extends along at least aportion of the second side wall.

According to another aspect, the first and second side walls of thewater tray extends from a floor of the water tray to an upper rim. Theguide feature includes a shelf that extends over the upper rim, a skirtthat extends downward from the shelf along an exterior surface of atleast one of the first and second side walls opposite a cavity of thewater tray, and a tab that extends downward from the shelf into thecavity of the water tray, such that a portion of at least one of thefirst side wall and the second side wall is positioned between the skirtand the tab.

According to another aspect, the guide feature further includes a guidefeature side wall that extends from the shelf to a platform positionedfurther than the shelf from the floor of the water tray and a connectionfeature coupled to the platform. The drain conduit is coupled to theconnection feature.

According to another aspect, the connection feature is generally tubularand defines a hollow. The drain conduit is coupled to the connectionfeature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit flows through thehollow and into the water tray.

According to another aspect, a portion of the drain conduit is receivedwithin the hollow defined by the connection feature.

According to another aspect, the guide feature includes a guideretention feature and the water tray includes a tray retention featureconfigured to be engaged with the guide retention feature to maintainthe guide feature in a coupled relationship with the water tray. Theguide retention feature is positioned on at least one of the skirt andthe shelf.

According to another aspect, a guide feature for attachment to a watertray of a refrigeration unit includes a shelf configured to extend overan upper rim of at least one side wall of the water tray, a skirtconfigured to extend downward from the shelf along an exterior surfaceof the at least one side wall opposite a cavity defined by the watertray, and a connection feature configured to be coupled with a drainconduit that conveys water to the water tray. The shelf is positionedbetween the connection feature and the skirt.

According to another aspect, a tab extends downward from the shelf. Thetab and the skirt are configured such that a portion of the at least oneside wall is configured to be positioned between the tab and skirt.

According to another aspect, a guide feature side wall extends from theshelf to a platform. The connection feature is coupled to the platform.

According to yet another aspect, the connection feature is generallytubular and defines a hollow configured to receive a portion of thedrain conduit.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary or movable in nature. Suchjoining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and/or any additional intermediate members. Such joining mayinclude members being integrally formed as a single unitary body withone another (i.e., integrally coupled) or may refer to joining of twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature, or may be removableor releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connectors or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigeration unit, comprising: a water traythat includes at least one side wall that extends from a floor of thewater tray to an upper rim of the water tray to define a cavity; a guidefeature coupled to the upper rim of the water tray and having aconnection feature that is aligned with the cavity of the water tray;and a drain conduit coupled to the connection feature of the guidefeature, such that water conveyed by the drain conduit is receivedwithin the water tray.
 2. The refrigeration unit of claim 1, wherein theconnection feature is generally tubular and defines a hollow, andwherein the drain conduit is coupled to the connection feature, suchthat water conveyed by the drain conduit flows through the hollow andinto the water tray.
 3. The refrigeration unit of claim 2, wherein aportion of the drain conduit is received within the hollow defined bythe connection feature.
 4. The refrigeration unit of claim 1, whereinthe at least one side wall of the water tray comprises: a first sidewall; and a second side wall coupled to the first side wall via acorner, wherein the guide feature is coupled to the upper rim, such thatthe guide feature contacts the first side wall and the second side wallof the water tray.
 5. The refrigeration unit of claim 1, wherein theguide feature comprises: a shelf that extends over the upper rim of thewater tray; and a skirt that extends downward from the shelf along anexterior surface of the at least one side wall opposite the cavity. 6.The refrigeration unit of claim 5, wherein the guide feature furthercomprises: a tab that extends downward from the shelf into the cavity ofthe guide feature, such that a portion of the at least one side wall ispositioned between the skirt and the tab of the guide feature.
 7. Therefrigeration unit of claim 5, wherein the guide feature includes aguide retention feature and the water tray includes a tray retentionfeature configured to be engaged with the guide retention feature tomaintain the guide feature in a coupled relationship with the watertray, wherein the guide retention feature is positioned on at least oneof the skirt and the shelf.
 8. The refrigeration unit of claim 5,wherein the guide feature further comprises: a guide feature side wallthat extends from the shelf to a platform positioned further than theshelf from the floor of the water tray, wherein the connection featureis coupled to the platform.
 9. A refrigeration unit, comprising: a watertray; a guide feature coupled to the water tray, such that the guidefeature contacts a first side wall of the water tray and a second sidewall of the water tray that is coupled to the first side wall at acorner; and a drain conduit coupled to the guide feature, such thatwater conveyed by the drain conduit is received within the water tray.10. The refrigeration unit of claim 9, wherein the first and second sidewalls of the water tray extend from a floor of the water tray to anupper rim, and wherein the guide feature is coupled to the upper rim.11. The refrigeration unit of claim 10, wherein the guide feature iscoupled to a portion of the upper rim that extends along at least aportion of the first side wall and a portion of the upper rim thatextends along at least a portion of the second side wall.
 12. Therefrigeration unit of claim 9, wherein the first and second side wallsof the water tray extend from a floor of the water tray to an upper rim,and wherein the guide feature comprises: a shelf that extends over theupper rim; a skirt that extends downward from the shelf along anexterior surface of at least one of the first and second side wallsopposite a cavity of the water tray; and a tab that extends downwardfrom the shelf into the cavity of the water tray, such that a portion ofat least one of the first side wall and the second side wall ispositioned between the skirt and the tab.
 13. The refrigeration unit ofclaim 12, wherein the guide feature further comprises: a guide featureside wall that extends from the shelf to a platform positioned furtherthan the shelf from the floor of the water tray; and a connectionfeature coupled to the platform, wherein the drain conduit is coupled tothe connection feature.
 14. The refrigeration unit of claim 13, whereinthe connection feature is generally tubular and defines a hollow,wherein the drain conduit is coupled to the connection feature, suchthat water conveyed by the drain conduit flows through the hollow andinto the water tray.
 15. The refrigeration unit of claim 14, wherein aportion of the drain conduit is received within the hollow defined bythe connection feature.
 16. The refrigeration unit of claim 12, whereinthe guide feature includes a guide retention feature and the water trayincludes a tray retention feature configured to be engaged with theguide retention feature to maintain the guide feature in a coupledrelationship with the water tray, wherein the guide retention feature ispositioned on at least one of the skirt and the shelf.
 17. A guidefeature for attachment to a water tray of a refrigeration unit,comprising: a shelf configured to extend over an upper rim of at leastone side wall of the water tray; a skirt configured to extend downwardfrom the shelf along an exterior surface of the at least one side wallopposite a cavity defined by the water tray; and a connection featureconfigured to be coupled with a drain conduit that conveys water to thewater tray, wherein the shelf is positioned between the connectionfeature and the skirt.
 18. The guide feature of claim 17, furthercomprising: a tab that extends downward from the shelf, wherein the taband the skirt are configured such that a portion of the at least oneside wall is configured to be positioned between the tab and skirt. 19.The guide feature of claim 17, further comprising: a guide feature sidewall that extends from the shelf to a platform, wherein the connectionfeature is coupled to the platform.
 20. The guide feature of claim 17,wherein the connection feature is generally tubular and defines a hollowconfigured to receive a portion of the drain conduit.